Black Diamond Pursuit Carbon FLZ Trekking Pole Review
The Black Diamond Pursuit Carbon FLZ ($220) builds on the success of the standard Pursuit—a go-to trekking pole for many backpackers—by adding a folding, carbon design. That shift comes at a higher price, but also brings meaningful upgrades. Most notably, it combines premium, comfort-focused features like cork grips, replaceable tips, and adjustable length with one of the most compact folded sizes on the market. The price is steep, the weight won’t appeal to ultralighters, and there’s no built-in adjustment tool—but the biggest issue I ran into was keeping them to myself. My husband kept stealing them on hikes, so I’ll likely be buying a second pair. That pretty much sums it up: these are easy to recommend for anyone who values comfort, packability, and reliability over going fully ultralight.
Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
Weight
1 lb. 1.3 oz.
Type
Folding/telescoping
Shaft Material
Carbon
Grip Material
Cork
Max/min Length
49.2/43.3 in.
Collapsed Length
14.2 in.
Pros
Cons
Black Diamond Pursuit Carbon FLZ
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Trekking Poles.
Comfort is a clear standout with the Pursuit Carbon FLZ thanks to its premium cork grips. I’ll admit: I used to overlook cork entirely. But after spending time with these poles, I get the hype. They’re comfortable right out of the box with no break-in period, don’t leave your hands sweaty or grimy like rubber grips can, and continue to feel great over long days on the trail. I used the poles across multiple desert hikes and backpacking trips, and even as the grips picked up some wear and dirt, they maintained a dry, secure feel.
The straps are just as impressive. Black Diamond uses a breathable air mesh that feels noticeably lighter and less intrusive than most. They’re easy to adjust, fit well out of the box, and stay comfortable even during extended use. I usually skip straps altogether because they get hot and annoying, but that wasn’t the case here. I kept them on almost the entire time and, in so doing, learned how important a strap is for good power transfer between my body and the pole.
The poles are stiff, with no built-in shock absorption, but that didn’t bother me. If anything, I prefer the more rigid feel for added stability, especially on uneven or rocky terrain. Over long miles, they remained predictable and supportive without introducing fatigue or discomfort. All told, Black Diamond really nailed the grip and strap design on the Black Diamond Pursuit Carbon FLZ.
This was my first experience with carbon poles, and the Pursuit Carbon FLZ quickly put my concerns to rest. They feel sturdier than expected—Black Diamond uses a wider shaft diameter here compared to lighter models like the Distance series, and the payoff is real. Right away, they strike a nice balance between low weight and confidence-inspiring strength, and I never felt like I needed to baby them despite the carbon build.
While backpacking through the rocky canyons of Utah’s Bears Ears National Monument, they handled plenty of abuse without issue. I leaned on them while stepping off boulders, used them to stabilize jumps, and planted them firmly in soft sand on steep climbs. I even accidentally wedged them between rocks, twisting them awkwardly, yet they came out unscathed. Compared to aluminum poles I’ve used—and even bent in the past—these felt just as stable, if not more so. I’d have no hesitation using them on technical terrain or in snowy conditions with the included baskets.
The carbide tips also held up well, maintaining solid traction throughout testing. I planned to swap to the included rubber tips for a rocky Grand Gulch trip, but couldn’t remove the carbide tips without pliers, so I ended up sticking with them. All told, while carbon trekking poles will never match the outright toughness of heavier aluminum designs, the Pursuit Carbon FLZ is impressively durable for its weight and should hold up well for most backcountry use.
At 1 pound 1.3 ounces for the pair, the Pursuit Carbon FLZ sits squarely in the middle of the pack. It’s noticeably heavier than true ultralight options like the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z (9.9 oz.), but that extra weight comes with real benefits: greater durability, a 15-centimeter (6 in.) adjustment range, and more comfortable cork grips compared to the Distance’s foam handles. The Pursuit Carbon FLZ lines up closely with the MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon (1 lb.), which features a similar carbon build and folding design (14.2 in.), albeit with foam grips.
In hand, the poles feel light and nimble, never overly bulky or fatiguing, even over long days. I used them extensively while backpacking in Utah’s canyon country and never felt weighed down. All told, this places the Pursuit firmly in the backpacking-friendly category. They’re not ideal for fastpacking or mountain running, but they’re more durable and versatile than most ultralight designs, while still coming in around—or even under—the weight of many aluminum options. For weight-conscious hikers who still want a reliable, adjustable pole, the Black Diamond Pursuit Carbon FLZ hits a practical sweet spot.
The Pursuit Carbon FLZ folds down to just 14.2 inches, which is about as compact as trekking poles get. That puts it ahead of most folding models and well below traditional telescoping poles, which typically collapse to over two feet long.
That compact size made a noticeable difference while backpacking. I could easily stash the poles in my pack or in its side drop-in pockets, and I was able to access them without removing my pack. I found this especially handy when transitioning between hiking and scrambling or when I just wanted them out of the way quickly. Ironically, they were too short to work with the trekking pole loops on my backpack, which felt more like a limitation of the pack than the poles themselves. For hikers who prioritize compact storage and quick deployment, the Pursuit Carbon FLZ is about as good as it gets.
The Pursuit Carbon FLZ packs in a strong mix of performance-focused features without overcomplicating things. Each pole has one length adjustment near the grip—the same FlickLock+ system I know from BD’s other telescoping poles—which I found easy to operate and not overly stiff. The folding mechanism relies on a push-button release that’s been redesigned with a longer, more textured surface (the previous version was a small round button), making it easier to deploy and collapse the poles on the fly. In use, I had no issues with slipping or unintended collapse, and the overall system felt reliable.
I was disappointed to see that the Pursuit Carbon FLZ doesn’t come with an integrated hex tool, unlike many of Black Diamond’s telescoping poles. Length adjustments will always get loose over time, no matter how high-quality they are—and it’s really nice to have a way to tighten them in the field. To tighten the FlickLock+ system, you’ll need a small Allen wrench, which I simply don’t have in my field repair kit. Guess I’ll need to add it!
The poles come with snow baskets and interchangeable rubber tips, though swapping the tips proved more difficult than expected—I wasn’t able to remove the carbide tips without pliers. There’s no included storage bag, but the baskets feature a notch that helps secure the poles together when collapsed, which is a nice touch for keeping things tidy in your pack.
Like most trekking poles, the Carbon Pursuit features foam grip extensions below the cork handles, which allow for multiple hand positions on steep or uneven terrain. While I didn’t use them much during testing, they’re a valuable addition for certain use cases, such as side-hilling or skiing.
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Replacement Parts
Replacement parts help extend a product’s lifespan by allowing consumers to repair damaged components—like ski goggle lenses or trekking pole clips—rather than purchasing a new one. A green check indicates a brand offers a robust selection of replacement parts, a yellow check indicates a more limited offering, and a red X indicates no replacement parts are available for this product.
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The Black Diamond Pursuit Carbon FLZ comes in two size ranges: 110-125 centimeters and 120-135 centimeters. Many folding poles have no adjustability (like the Black Diamond Carbon Distance Z), but the Pursuit Carbon FLZ adds it via a 15-centimeter (about 6-inch) adjustment on its top shaft. This adjustability is more restricted than what you get with telescoping poles, but better than what you’d find in a non-adjustable folding pole.
At 5’5”, I tested the 110–125 cm version, and it worked—but just barely. I kept the poles at their shortest setting (110 cm) most of the time; if you’re on the shorter side or prefer a shorter pole length, you might need to find another option.
Black Diamond Pursuit ($170): Where it All Began
Before the Pursuit Carbon FLZ came the standard Pursuit, a pole we still consider one of the best all-around options available. The two share key features—cork grips, FlickLock+ adjustability, and replaceable tips—but differ in materials and design. The Pursuit uses aluminum and a telescoping build, which gives it a wider adjustment range (100–140 cm) but results in a much longer collapsed size. At 24.2 inches when packed, it’s noticeably bulkier to store than the Carbon FLZ. At $50 less, the standard Pursuit is the better value for most hikers, but the Carbon FLZ is worth it if you prioritize compact storage for travel, scrambling, or frequent stowing. For more, read our Black Diamond Pursuit review.
MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon ($190): More Adjustable and Slightly Lighter
The MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon is a close competitor to the Pursuit Carbon FLZ, also combining a folding design with telescoping adjustability. Both poles collapse to a compact 14.2 inches and feel similarly durable thanks to their carbon construction, but the MSR is arguably a bit more refined. It’s slightly lighter at around 1 pound and offers a broader size range (100-120 cm and 120-140 cm), along with a tool-free tightening system for the lever locks—a nice advantage for in-field adjustments. The main tradeoff is comfort: the MSR uses a foam grip instead of cork, which may feel less breathable over long days. Still, at $30 less, it’s a compelling alternative for those who prioritize adjustability and convenience over grip feel. To learn more, check out our MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon review.
The Black Diamond Pursuit Carbon FLZ pairs a highly packable folding design with standout comfort, thanks to excellent cork grips and breathable straps. It’s not the lightest option, but for backpackers who want compact storage without giving up all-day usability, it’s a top-tier pick.
Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
A standout all-rounder, the durable and comfortable Pursuit is ideal for hikers and backpackers who aren’t counting every ounce. The feature set is innovative and thoughtful, too, including an integrated lever-tightening tool and replaceable tips.
Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
Mixing Kevlar-reinforced carbon in a folding design, MSR’s premium poles excel at just about everything, from mountaineering to fastpacking and running. However, if you don’t need the extra strength or snow baskets, there are more affordable and lightweight options.
Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
Is the Pursuit Carbon FLZ for You?
The Black Diamond Pursuit Carbon FLZ is a great fit for hikers and backpackers who want a lightweight, packable pole without sacrificing comfort. It excels across the board, combining premium touches—like a cork grip and carbon shaft—with a folding design that packs down as small as anything on the market. If you have a reason to prioritize a compact folded size—whether for scrambling, travel, or frequently stashing your poles—you’d be hard-pressed to find a more high-end option. That said, it’s not the lightest pole available, and the lack of a built-in adjustment tool may give some long-distance hikers pause. But for those seeking a well-balanced, highly packable trekking pole that emphasizes comfort and real-world usability over shaving every last ounce—and are willing to pay for it—the Pursuit Carbon FLZ is an easy recommendation.
Go for it if you want top-of-the-line materials and features along with a highly packable build.
Pass on it if you’re trying to cut every possible ounce, have no need to spend up for packability, or prefer a more field-serviceable design.
the backcountry awaits
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